Hi Coach Criswell,

I am currently working on a project that addresses your needs perfectly. I am still in the process of seeking publication, however, you may want to visit the site to glean some information that might help. And to sign up for notification once the book is published. Here is the link to "Becoming a True Champion: A Handbook for Young Athletes Aiming for Greatness":
http://www.becomingatruechampion.com/

In addition, I publish a blog titled "The Athlete's Sports Experience." Many of the articles published there take their beginnings from the concepts in my book. Here is that link: http://www.becomingatruechampion.blogspot.com/.

There is a good deal of inspirational and instructional content within many of the articles. This is in addition to some embedded videos that bring out deep emotional resonses with regard to what youth sports is all about. I think this would be a good starting point for you.

In order to peruse the blog and be able to choose articles that you may have interest in you should use the archive list in the right column. If you click on the grey triangel next to a year, say 2008, a drop down menu with the months will appear. If you click on a grey triangle next to the month the article titles will drop down and you can pick what you like.

Also, since your son is involved in baseball you might be interested in the chat interview I am conducting on the blog this Sunday. My most recent blog post, located under the chat window, explains who I will be interviewing and what we will be discussing. Hope to see you there.

All my best

Kirk Mango
www.becomingatruechampion.com
www.becomingatruechampion.blogspot.com

Thanks Kirk. As the kids progress, my son is 12 w/ 11 seasons of baseball under his belt, the bigest hold back for them is mental, not physical. They HAVE the skills, it's putting them to use.
I see fear of failure as the biggest impediment, which feeds into being nervous, which leads to not playing well, which enforces the initial fear of failure, it's a vicious cycle. There has to be something/s to do that will break that mental frame of mind.

Thanks, andI'm off to look at your sites.
Thanks again

Coach Criswell,
I recently had a class in the psychology of sport. Our text was Applied Sport Psychology: Personal Growth to Peak Performance, by Jean Williams. It has everything you will ever need for mental training.

I have used the techniques that can be found at www.byebyeblocks.com

The manuals offered there are a good start.

Let me know if you use them and if that helps.

Pat

thanks Pat, I visited the othe rsite that you sent, I'm forgetting the name, but it has to do with the "tapping" techniques. sounds interesting....
Thanks for taking the time to send the links and answer my questions, i'm always up for learning new ideas.

As I have goten older, with more seasons under my belt, some of the old standards are NOT what I think the kids need to be taught to get the best out of them, ie, squsah the bug, stay back, don't drop your back shoulder, keep your front arm straight, etc. They are good for beginners from the simplicity point of view, but I can see from my own experiences and what I have been reading, that may not be what needs to be taught, especially as the kids progress. Staying balanced, yes, but after that it depends on where the ball is pitched, where you want the ball to go, etc. that determines the rest. imo

As far as the mental game, I don't know ANY coach in city/ rec ball or 12U select that actually has that as a part of their practices. I intend to do just that. That's why I'm so curious about that aspect and it's forms available to a "Dad, who coaches", as I am.

Well, I'll get off the soap box, but thanks again Pat, and the others for taking the time to give me yalls links.

Yours in Sport,
Tom